The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has formally criticised Maersk Line for its problematic container deposit refund process.
The association has expressed frustration over the shipping company’s failure to include Bill of Lading numbers in the refund account statements, a lapse that complicates the tracking of returned deposits for freight forwarders.
In a letter addressed to Maersk Line, titled “Concern Over Missing Bill of Lading Number in Refund Statements,” Chief Adam Chukwuma, Deputy National President of Seaports, detailed the issue. NAGAFF’s letter underscores that the absence of Bill of Lading numbers in the narrative sections of refund statements makes it difficult for its members to match refunds to specific transactions.
The letter highlights: “We have received multiple complaints from NAGAFF members regarding the refund process. The current refund statements from Maersk Line fail to include the Bill of Lading number, which is essential for identifying the specific refund related to each application.”
NAGAFF is urging Maersk Line to address this issue promptly. The association suggested that, although the problem might be linked to the banks handling the transactions, it is imperative for Maersk Line, as the payer, to ensure that payment instructions are clearly communicated to the banks to avoid further complications.
The association warned that if the issue remains unresolved, it may escalate the matter to higher authorities. NAGAFF is committed to ensuring that its members receive the necessary clarity and efficiency in the refund process to facilitate smooth operations in the freight forwarding sector.